The Lakes Church Cairns

The story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac is one of the most challenging in the Bible. This week, we will explore themes of trust, obedience, and God’s ultimate provision.

Abraham: faith and imperfection. This series will help us see Abraham not just as a figure of great faith, but as a complex person who experienced highs and lows. We’ll find parts of our own story, and we’ll find confidence in God, through the journey of Abraham.

Group Discussion Guide

Read & reflect on Genesis 15:1-21, Genesis 22:1-19, Hebrews 11:19, Romans 4:13-25

1. How does Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac challenge your understanding of faith and obedience?

2. What does this story teach you about God’s character and provision?

3. Share a time when you had to trust God in a seemingly impossible situation.

4. How can we develop a deeper trust in God’s plans for our lives, and how can we support each other in this?

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post The greatest challenge to Abraham’s faith (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Abraham is often admired for his great faith, but his story also includes moments of fear and failure. This week, we will explore how God’s promises remain steadfast even when our faith wavers.

Abraham: faith and imperfection. This series will help us see Abraham not just as a figure of great faith, but as a complex person who experienced highs and lows. We’ll find parts of our own story, and we’ll find confidence in God, through the journey of Abraham.

Group Discussion Guide

Read & reflect on Genesis 12:10-20, Genesis 20:1-18, Genesis 18:16-33

1. What do Abraham’s actions in Egypt and Gerar reveal about his character?

2. How does God’s response to Abraham’s failings encourage us in our own faith journey?

3. Discuss a time when fear led you to make a poor decision. How did you see God’s faithfulness in that situation?

4. How can we better trust God’s promises, even when we are afraid?

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Abraham’s flawed faith (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Abraham’s journey begins with a radical call to leave everything familiar and trust in God’s vision. This week, we explored the courage and faith required to embrace God’s vision for our lives.

This series will help us see Abraham not just as a figure of great faith, but as a complex person who experienced highs and lows. We’ll find parts of our own story, and we’ll find confidence in God, through the journey of Abraham.

Group Discussion Guide:Read and reflect on Genesis 12:1-9, Hebrews 11:8-10, Genesis 17:1-8, Romans 4:13-25 1. How would you respond to a call like Abraham’s?2. How does Abraham’s faith challenge you in your daily life?3. Share a time when you felt God calling you to step out in faith. What happened? How did God’s vision change you?4. How can we discern and follow God’s vision for our own lives, and how can we encourage each other to be obedient to God’s call?

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Abraham’s radical call to embrace God’s vision (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Talking to God is a simple practice that can feel difficult and complicated. Many people see prayer as a “Break in Case of Emergency” box – they only pray in those moments when nothing else is working. Others see it as a shopping list for life, only talking with God when they need something. For others it is a therapeutic habit, processing their life with an external Presence. These are just a few of the many ways people see prayer.

In Matthew 6 the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. They are not asking what words to say or what the correct structure should be. They are good Jewish boys who know ‘what’ to pray. They are asking Jesus to teach them to pray like he does, from an intimate and powerful relationship with the Father. They want to experience transformative prayer. And so do we. We want to build a foundational prayer life, emulating Jesus’ continuous dialogue with his Father.

You can find the practice guide for this series here: https://www.thelakes.church/transformativeprayer

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Transformative prayer: “Here I am, send me.” (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Talking to God is a simple practice that can feel difficult and complicated. Many people see prayer as a “Break in Case of Emergency” box – they only pray in those moments when nothing else is working. Others see it as a shopping list for life, only talking with God when they need something. For others it is a therapeutic habit, processing their life with an external Presence. These are just a few of the many ways people see prayer.

In Matthew 6 the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. They are not asking what words to say or what the correct structure should be. They are good Jewish boys who know ‘what’ to pray. They are asking Jesus to teach them to pray like he does, from an intimate and powerful relationship with the Father. They want to experience transformative prayer. And so do we. We want to build a foundational prayer life, emulating Jesus’ continuous dialogue with his Father.

You can find the practice guide for this series here: https://www.thelakes.church/transformativeprayer

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Transformative prayer: “Would you, please?” (Kate Cathcart) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Talking to God is a simple practice that can feel difficult and complicated. Many people see prayer as a “Break in Case of Emergency” box – they only pray in those moments when nothing else is working. Others see it as a shopping list for life, only talking with God when they need something. For others it is a therapeutic habit, processing their life with an external Presence. These are just a few of the many ways people see prayer.

In Matthew 6 the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. They are not asking what words to say or what the correct structure should be. They are good Jewish boys who know ‘what’ to pray. They are asking Jesus to teach them to pray like he does, from an intimate and powerful relationship with the Father. They want to experience transformative prayer. And so do we. We want to build a foundational prayer life, emulating Jesus’ continuous dialogue with his Father.

You can find the practice guide for this series here: https://www.thelakes.church/transformativeprayer

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Transformative prayer: “I’m sorry, forgive me.” (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Talking to God is a simple practice that can feel difficult and complicated. Many people see prayer as a “Break in Case of Emergency” box – they only pray in those moments when nothing else is working. Others see it as a shopping list for life, only talking with God when they need something. For others it is a therapeutic habit, processing their life with an external Presence. These are just a few of the many ways people see prayer.

In Matthew 6 the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. They are not asking what words to say or what the correct structure should be. They are good Jewish boys who know ‘what’ to pray. They are asking Jesus to teach them to pray like he does, from an intimate and powerful relationship with the Father. They want to experience transformative prayer. And so do we. We want to build a foundational prayer life, emulating Jesus’ continuous dialogue with his Father.

You can find the practice guide for this series here: https://www.thelakes.church/transformativeprayer

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Transformative prayer: “Thank you God, you’re amazing!” (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Phil & Julie Bignill were part of our church leadership for over 20 years! From my recollection it was 1995 when they moved to Cairns to pastor our church. And then in 2015 Phil moved into a regional role with Churches of Christ. Julie worked in the office for many years as well, and served the church in so many ways.

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Psalm 23 (Phil Bignill) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Doubt is not something to be afraid of in faith. Doubt is something that we should embrace. It is something should bring together into community. It’s something that is ok and acceptable in our faith life.

You are radically accepted by God as you are right now. And as an extension of Heaven on earth, you’re radically accepted by this community. So if it’s hard to believe right now or you have questions we want you to connect deeper into our community not pull away.

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Doubt (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

In today’s fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with noise and distractions. This volume not only surrounds us but invades our minds, making it difficult to hear the gentle whisper of God. The practice of silence and solitude invites us to step away from the noise, to be still and know that he is God.

On July 7 & 14 we are exploring the spiritual discipline of silence and solitude, learning to create intentional spaces for quiet closeness with God. Let’s relentlessly pursue Jesus…by stopping.

You can download the practice guide for this series, including personal reflection, group discussion & more: https://www.thelakes.church/silence

Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church

The post Seek silence & solitude (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.